Electric appliance with hair dryer and shaver

ABSTRACT

An electric shaver and hair dryer combination, comprising a motor having a rotatable shaft, a hair dryer fan connected with the shaft via a transmission for selective operation of the hair dryer, a shave blade connected with the shaft via a transmission for selective operation of the shave, and an actuator to selectively actuate either the hair dryer or the shaver.

United States Patent 1191 Lin et a1.

[4 1 Mar. 18, 1975 1 ELECTRIC APPLIANCE WITH HAIR DRYER AND SHAVER [76] Inventors: Jeunn-Wen Lin, 18-3 Lani 29 Chin Hsuch St Tainan; Go-Sing Lin, 4 Tzu-Hao, Hsing-shu Rd, Kaohsung Hsien, both of China [22] Filed: Jan. 24, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 436,196

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,318,255 5/1943 Nichols 30/34 R Rosenkrans 310/78 X 2,741,712 4/1956 Lonnquist 310/78 X 2,899,743 8/1959 Meuvel 30/34 R 3,035,346 5/1962 Campbell 30/415 3,364,568 1/1968 Lowy 30/41.5 3,364,568 1/1968 Lowy 30/34 R 3,497,738 2/1970 Mariani.- 310/78 Primary ExaminerDonovan F. Duggan Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Shoemaker and Mattare [57] ABSTRACT An electric shaver and hair dryer combination, com- 7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures zt m/ ELECTRIC APPLIANCE WITH HAIR DRYER AND SHAVER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION conventionally, electric shaver and, hair dryer each carries a definite, respective function for shaving and hair drying. For convenience sake, and more particularly for gentlemen, an appliance with both the provisions of shaver and hair dryer is after the comma. Applicant does not know of any such appliance in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an electric appliance with dual functions of shaving and hair drying.

It is, therefore, the principal object of the present invention to provide a simple electric appliance of dual functions, shaving and hair drying.

The above and other objects and features of the present invention will be more apparent in view of the accompanying drawings and description,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2'is a cross-sectional view along the line 22 of FIG. I; I

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the present invention; I

FIG. 5 shows one of the embodiments of electric circuit for the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT To achieve the dual functions of shaving and hairdrying, the present invention utilizes an electric motor 10 being capable of two-way rotation. Two mechanical transmission means A, 20B are provided at both sides ofsaid motor 10 on its axis as shown in FIG. 1. Both mechanical transmission means 20A, 208 substantially comprise notched elements 21A, 218, as shown in FIG. 2, preferably with three or a plurality of springs 22A, 22B and metallic balls 23A, 23B inserted within and against the notched space. Also, drilled holes 211A, 211B are provided at the center of each said notched elements 21A, 218 for mounting thereof in the axes or shafts'llA, 11B of said motor 10. Outer wheels or sleeves 24A, 24B are mounted on the axes or shafts 31A, 31B of fan of hair dryer and blade 40 of shaver, respectively, and each receives said notched element 21A, 21B together with spring 22A, 22B and metallic ball 23A, 238, respectively, within each recess. For protection, metallic covers 25A, 25B are also set upon this assembly. The The covers 25A, 255 have clearance either with axes 11A and 11B and notched elements 21A, 218, or with wheels 24A, 248 for relative rotation between notched elements 21A, 21B and wheels 24A, 248. Therefore, when said motor 10 rotates clockwise respect to the hair dryer fan. notched element 21A rotates with the spring 22A recessed within the notched enclosure of said notched element 21A, and springs 22A in hair dryers side are compressed while springs 228 in shavers side are released.

When the, springs 22A are compressed, the rotational mechanism 20A will not transmit to the corresponding outer wheel 24A to drive fan 30 but at the same time, the springs 22B are released, and balls 23B engage between notched element 21B and wheel 243 to drive the blade 40. Similarly, in the case springs 22A are released, the rotational mechanism 20A will transmit to the corresponding outer wheel 20A through the frictional engagement between said metallic ball 23A and interior recess wall of the outer wheel to run the fan 30. Thus as illustrated in FIG. 5 when contacts 172 and 173, I81 and 182 of switches 17 and 18 are respectively closed, the main winding 13 and auxiliary winding 15 of motor are energized and the motor 10 rotates in the clockwise direction respect to the hair dryer. with the result that the fan of the hair dryer does not rotate, but the blade of the shaver does rotate and thus can be used to accomplish the shaving function. On the other hand, when contacts 172 and 174, 171 and 173, 181 and 183 of switches 17 and 18 are closed respectively, motor 10 rotates in the counterclockwise direction respect to hair dryer, and rotation occurs in the fan 30 of the hair dryer and the heater circuit is simultaneously made to energize heater 70, and the rotational mechanism will be used to accomplish the hair drying task while the shaver is not actuated.

Generally speaking, said transmission means substantially is of an overrunning clutch, and bearings A, 50B should be provided around the respective axis 31, 41 and locking pins (not shown) also provided for the outer wheels and notched element to mount them rigidly on their respective axis, in a conventional manner.

In FIG. 3, the motor 10 may be a uni-directional electric motor. At both sides of motor 10, clutch means 20C, 20D are provided upon its axis. Said clutch means 20C, 20D each respectively comprises spring 201C, 201D set upon a supporter 202C, 202D, a clutch 203C, 203D and a clutch lever arm 204. Two arms 204C and 204D of said lever arm 204 each respectively connects the corresponding clutch 203C, 203D, between each of which is provided a'pivotal supporting means 207C, 207D, and knob 205 is provided on the lever arm 204 to enable selectively pushing arm 204C and 204D either the rightward or leftward to operate either shaving means or the hair drying means. The axes 31C and 31D of blade 40 of shaver and the fan 30 of hair dryer are engaged with respective clutch means 20C and 20D through joint plates 206C, 206D respectively. When knob 205 is pushed leftward, as shown in FIG. 3, clutch 203C moves rightward so that right hand side clutch 203C engages with the joint plate 206C for mechanical transmission to the blade 40 of the shaver while left hand side clutch 203D disengages with the joint plate 206D for the fan 30 of the hair dryer. In so doing, the rotational mechanism of the motor 10 will be transmitted to the shaver blade 40 to accomplish the shaving.

function the hair dryer fan 30 remains stationary. On the contrary, if knob 205 is pushed rightward, clutch 203C will engages with joint plate 206D to transmit the rotational mechanism to hair dryer fan 30 to accomplish hair drying function and the shaver blade 40 remains stationary also, bearings 50C, 50D are mounted in a conventional manner on the axes 11C and lID and slots are provided on the clutch and a stopper pin is fixed on axis (not shown) to ensure satisfactory mechanical movement.

,tended to be embraced therein.

In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the shaver and hair dryer are vertically disposed. As before the hair dryer is in horizontal alignment with the motor and the clutch means E is also set between the hair dryer fan 30 and motor 10 to enable blade 40 to rotate whenever the clutch means 20E engages with the joint plate 206E by the selection of lever 204E.

An upper clutch means 20F is supported on a supporting plate 206E, with its axis perpendicular to the axis of a lower clutch means 20B, and includes a bevel gear 62, which meshes with a bevel gear 61 of the lower .clutch means. Actuating knobs or levers 204E and 204E are operatively connected with the clutch means 20E and 20F, respectively, in a well known manner, not

shown, such that when the levers are operated to a first position, clutch means 20E is released from joint plate 206E and bevel gear 62 is meshed with bevel gear 61 whereby the bevel gear 61 will drive the bevel gear 62 which in'turn drives the shaver blade 40 through the upper clutch means 20F. Similarly, when the knob is pushed to the other direction, the bevel gear 62 of the upper clutch means 20F is released from said bevel gear6l by the lever 204F and the horizontal clutch means 20E clutches with the joint plate 206E to cause the fan 30 of the hair dryer to rotate. The other elements of FIG. 4 operate similarly to that previously described.

FIG. 6 shows the fourth embodiment of the present invention; In this figure, the blade 40 of the shaver and the fan 30 of the hair dryer are parallel to each other gear or frictional engagement and the other elements as in embodiments discussed above. The operation of this embodiment is also the same as the above embodiments, and the related description of this embodiment is thus omitted. I

The present invention also may be embodied in other forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The above description, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing statement, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of the equivalent of the claims are therefore in- In summary, the basic concept of the present invention is attaching a shaver together with necessary transmission means or clutch means to the conventional hair dryer regardless of changing the arrangement of fan and blade, or the type of transmission means.

We claim: 7

1. In combination, a shaver and hair dryer, comprising: a motor having axial, rotatable shaft means; hair dryer fan means selectively connectible with said shaft means for rotation therewith to dry hair; shaver blade means selectively connectible with said shaft means for rotation therewith to shave hair; transmission means connected between said hair dryer fan means and the shaft means and between the shaver blade means and the shaft means to alternately selectively engage and disengage said fan means and said shaft means and then said shaver blade means and shaft means; and means operatively associated with said transmission means to operate said transmission means.

2. An electric appliance including in combination a hair dryer and a shaver, comprising: a motor having an axial, rotating shaft means; a pair of one-way rotational transmission means connected in said shaft means at opposite ends of the motor, each of said transmission means comprising aniover-running clutch having an outer sleeve and an inner rotating member having a plurality of tapered notches in its outer surface, a ball in each of said notches engaged between the inner member and the outer sleeve, and spring means in the notches engaging the balls urging them outwardly into tight frictional engagement between the outer sleeve and the inner member to transmit motion therebetween in one direction of relative rotation therebetween; hair drying fan means connected with the transmission means at one end of the motor; shaving blade means connected with the transmission means at the other end of the motor; and said transmission means arranged to transmit motion each in an opposite direction, so that rotation of said shaft means in onedirection results in actuation of said hair drying fan means and rotation in the other direction results in actuation of the shaving blade means.

' 3. An electric appliance including in combination, a shaver and hair dryer, comprising a motor having a rotatable shaft projecting from opposite ends thereof, a rotational transmission means connected in each said shaft on opposite ends of themotor, a fan connected with'one of said transmission means for drying hair, a heater associated with said fan, a shaver blade connected with the outer transmission means for cutting hair, and a lever connected with the transmission means to operate the transmission means for selective,

alternate actuation of the hair dryer and shaver.

4. An electric appliance as in claim 2, wherein the shaft means comprises a pair of shafts extending axially from opposite ends of the motor, said shaver blade means connected to one shaft and said hair dryer fan means connected to the other shaft on opposite sides of the motor, respectively, andin axial alignment with one another.

5. An electric appliance as in claim 3, wherein the transmission means comprise friction clutches, said hair dryer fan means and shaver blade means, and the clutches all coaxial with one another and with the motor.

6. An electric appliance as in claim 3, wherein the transmission means comprise bevel gear sets, said lever operable to engage one bevel gear set and to simultaneously disengage the other bevel gear set, and the hair dryer fan means and shaver blade means disposed with their axes parallel to one another and perpendicular to the motor axis.

7. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said shaft means extends axially from one end of the motor, a friction clutch means connected to the free end of the shaft means, said hair dryer fan means connected with the clutch means to be selectively driven thereby and having its axis aligned with the motor axis, and a bevel gear means fixed on the shaft means, said shaver blade means connected with the bevel gear means to be selectively driven thereby, the axis of the shaver blade means disposed perpendicular to the axes of the motor and hair dryer fan means. 

1. In combination, a shaver and hair dryer, comprising: a motor having axial, rotatable shaft means; hair dryer fan means selectively connectible with said shaft means for rotation therewith to dry hair; shaver blade means selectively connectible with said shaft means for rotation therewith to shave hair; transmission means connected between said hair dryer fan means and the shaft means and between the shaver blade means and the shaft means to alternately selectively engage and disengage said fan means and said shaft means and then said shaver blade means and shaft means; and means operatively associated with said transmission means to operate said transmission means.
 2. An electric appliance including in combination a hair dryer and a shaver, comprising: a motor having an axial, rotating shaft means; a pair of one-way rotational transmission means connected in said shaft means at opposite ends of the motor, each of said transmission means comprising an over-running clutch having an outer sleeve and an inner rotating member having a plurality of tapered notches in its outer surface, a ball in each of said notches engaged between the inner member and the outer sleeve, and spring means in the notches engaging the balls urging them outwardly into tight frictional engagement between the outer sleeve and the inner member to transmit motion therebetween in one direction of relative rotation therebetween; hair drying fan means connected with the transmission means at one end of the motor; shaving blade means connected with the transmission means at the other end of the motor; and said transmission means arranged to transmit motion each in an opposite direction, so that rotation of said shaft means in one direction results in actuation of said hair drying fan means and rotation in the other direction results in actuation of the shaving blade means.
 3. An electric appliance including in combination, a shaver and hair dryer, comprising a motor having a rotatable shaft projecting from opposite ends thereof, a rotational transmission means connected in each said shaft on opposite ends of the motor, a fan connected with one of said transmission means for drying hair, a heater associated with said fan, a shaver blade connected with the outer transmission means for cutting hair, and a lever connected with the transmission means to operate the transmission means for selective, alternate actuation of the hair dryer and shaver.
 4. An electric appliance as in claim 2, wherein the shaft means comprises a pair of shafts extending axially from opposite ends of the motor, said shaver blade means connected to one shaft and said hair dryer fan means connected to the other shaft on opposite sides of the motor, respectively, and in axial alignment with one another.
 5. An electric appliance as in claim 3, wherein the transmission means comprise friction clutches, said hair dryer fan means and shaver blade means, and the clutches all coaxial with one another and with the motor.
 6. An electric appliance as in claim 3, wherein the transmission means comprise bevel gear sets, said lever operable to engage one bevel gear set and to simultaneously disengage the other bevel gear set, and the hair dryer fan means and shaver blade means disposed with their axes parallel to one another and perpendicular to the motor axis.
 7. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said shaft means extends axially from one end of the motor, a friction clutch means connected to the free end of the shaft means, said hair dryer fan means connected with the clutch means to be selectively driven thereby and having its axis aligned with the motor axis, and a bevel gear means fixed on the shaft means, said shaver blade means connected with the bevel gear means to be selectively driven thereby, the axis of the shaver blade means disposed perpendicular to the axes of the motor and hair dryer fan means. 